Area Development released its 2024 Leading Metro Locations report. Rapid City ranked #43 overall as a City on the Rise.

The report provides an in-depth look at which cities are thriving, which regions are gaining ground, and what key factors are driving growth in today's economic landscape. It places a special emphasis on factors like prime workforce availability, economic strength, and affordability.

Rapid City was #2 in the Plains Region, second to Topeka, Kansas, followed by Grand Island, NE (#3), Wichita, KS (#4) and Grand Forks, ND (#5). Sioux Falls, South Dakota was #304 overall.

A prime workforce rank of #19 was a key factor in Rapid City’s high rank. Most notable is the city’s growth in the STEM workforce over the past 5 years and a labor force change of over 8% in the last 3 years.

“Rapid City has made a concerted effort over the past five years to grow our workforce and economy. Based on the calls we are getting from companies, we know we’re getting noticed, so this ranking is not surprising,” said Tom Johnson, President & CEO of the economic development group Elevate Rapid City. “Our workforce, compared to the competition, is younger, and the Black Hills is a talent magnet. Rapid City is the place people want to be."

This year, Rapid City was also on Livability’s Top 100 Places to Live and WalletHub’s 100 Safest Cities in America.

About Elevate Rapid City

Elevate Rapid City is a public-private partnership organization leading the economic development and small business efforts in the Black Hills region. We work to elevate the Rapid City region for all with the strong vision of making Rapid City and the Black Hills region the place people want to be. Visit elevaterapidcity.com to learn more.